As a committed optimist, I choose to look for positives. That’s my preferred mindset. I’ve been exploring common patterns of thought that can lead us astray. The more we know – the better we can recognize if we fall prey to one of these patterns.

This one is titled ‘Straight Line’ thinking – which proposes that future things or events will continue as they have been going, and at pretty much the same rate.  For example:  If I’ve had trouble with X, Y, or Z … then I will continue to struggle with it.

History is a great teacher and our thoughts are often guided by what we know of it. But we are NOT doomed to repeat it, and we don’t have to allow it to dominate our thinking.  Things don’t always go in a lock-step straight-line progression

Here’s a fun proof :

If a baby is born at 19.5” inches – and re-measured at six months of age at 26.5” inches long that’s a good, but not shocking rate. If growth continued in a ‘straight line’ progression, at the same rate, then that baby would be five feet tall at three years of age, and thirteen feet tall at ten. Not likely!

I hope that made you smile. There are other factors involved – most of them obvious and well known to us, and some that may be unexpected.

Statistics can help us with projections of things such as population growth, economics and etc., but when we catch ourselves in the ‘straight line’ thinking trap we must take care with our analysis – and be ready to admit to the possibility of intervening factors (genetics, health, nourishment etc., etc.).

Possibilities for change are even more important to consider when we judge our own potentials or difficulties.

We can re-phrase that old statement about things always having been a certain way, and say “just because it seems to have always been this way  – doesn’t mean that it will continue.’  We can ask questions and look for wisdom in a different perspective.  Hmmm, is there any real limit to how many intervening factors are possible?

I don’t have to let historical assumptions dominate my thoughts.  If the past is bothering me, I can say a prayer and let go – knowing that mine is the God of all potential. He sees, and can handle, every intervening factor.  To Him nothing is unexpected, and I am in His hands!

Blessings, Love and Laughter,

Margaret